Three RNZAF P-3K2 Orion aircraft took off from the Whenuapai airbase in West Auckland this morning for a farewell tour of Aotearoa New Zealand.
The fleet is being retired after more than 57 years of service with the air force and will be replaced by new Boeing P-8A Poseidon planes in July this year.
Since the mid-1960s, six P-3K2 Orions have been used for airborne surveillance and reconnaissance of Aotearoa New Zealand’s areas of economic interest, exclusive economic zone, the South Pacific and the Southern Ocean, including Antarctica.
Image 1 of 9: A RNZAF P-3K2 Orion aircraft taxis along the runway before leaving Whenuapai for a farewell flight around Aotearoa New Zealand. Photo / Dean Purcell
A recent search and rescue mission to find two fishermen from Kiribati highlighted how important the planes have been to the south Pacific for half a century.